Odometer.



No. 741,420. PATENTED OCT. 13, 1903;

I 0. H. VEEDER.

ODOMETBR.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. '7. 1903. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

m: NoRms PETERS co Pwcroumnh WASHINGTON, v :2.

No. 741,420. PATENTED OGT.'13, 1903.

G. H. VEEDER.

ODOMETER.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB, 7, 190a. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET z.

No. 741,420. Patented October 13, 1333.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CURTIS HUSSEY VEEDER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE VEEDER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ODOMETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,420, dated October 13, 1903.

Applicationfiled February '7, 1903. Serial No. 142,303. (No model.)

T on whom, it may concern: in Figs. 1 and 3, aportion of the spring can Beitknown that LCURTIS I-IUSSEY VEEDER, rier-block and adjacent washer being broken a citizen of the United States,residing in Hartaway to show the adjacent friction-disk. Fig. ford, county of Hartford, in the State of Con- 5 is a plan view of the base portion of the 5 necticut, have invented certain new and usecasing with the braking mechanism and main 55 ful Improvementsin Odometers, of which the shaft removed therefrom. Fig. 6 is a View following is a specification, reference being in longitudinal section of the base portion had to the accompanying drawings, forming of the casing, taken on a plane indicated by a part hereof. the broken line 6 6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a de- 10 This invention relates to registering detail view, partlyin section, showing the rela- 6o vices, and particularly to such devices as tion between the shaft, the friction disks and odometcrs, revolution-counters, and otherinwashers, and the spring carrier-block. Fig. struments of like general character. 8 is a view in central longitudinal section of One object of the invention is to provide a modification of the instrument with the an instrument of this class which shall be braking device omitted; and Fig. 9 is asimi substantially impervious to dampness and lar View of still another modification,showdust, such as often finds its wayinto these ining the braking device separated from the struments when they are continuously eX- counting mechanism. posed to rain and mud, to the serious injury One of the component parts of the odome- 20 of the counting mechanism. ter is the counter or registering mechanism Another object of the invention is to pera; but with the construction of such counter mit the use of a relatively stout shaft, to or registering mechanism the present invenwhich the star-wheel or actuated member of tion is not concerned. It may accordingly the instrument is secured and in operative be of any suitable construction and is hereinz5 relation with which a braking device is proafter regarded and referred to as a unitary vided to prevent the spinning of said shaft element. As has already been stated, howwhen the star-wheel is actuatedin rapid sucever, one of the objects of this invention is cession. By employing a large and substanto protect this mechanism, as well as the ential main shaft an adequate braking device tireinteriorof the case oftheinstrumentirom 0 may be used. the harmful effects of moisture and dust, and

A further object of theinvention is to make for this purpose a peculiarly-constructed casthe counter mechanism of the instrument reing for the entire odometer mechanism is proversible with respect to the case inclosing the vided and comprises in general two parts-a same in order that the case may be attached base I) and a cap 0. The counter or register- 35 to avehicle, for instance, or to any other suping mechanism is fitted and secured in the port in the most convenient manner and still top of cap a, which is of a suitable shape to be in a position to be easily observed. receive the same and is provided with a crys- In general the object of the invention is tal hermetically sealed in the top and through to produce an odometer or like instrument which the readings of the counter or register- 0 which under varying conditions of use shall ing mechanism may be observed. be accurate, durable, and not liable to get The base I) is astrong and substantial castout of order. ing having a base-plate with holes I? therein In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is to receive a U-bolt or other fastening and upa plan view of an instrument embodying the right extensions cl formed upon said base- 45 invention. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. plate, which extensions constitute a chamber 5 Fig. 3 is a View in central longitudinal secor inclosure e for the main shaft and braking tion, illustrating the connection with the device. The cap 0 fits very closely over and counter, which is shownin elevation. Fig. around these extensions cl, which form the 4is aview, partly in transverse section, taken walls of the inclosure e, and down upon the 50 on a plane indicated by the broken line 4 4E base-plate, thereby preventing any moisture I00 iiO or dirt from entering the interior of the casing except around the edges of the cap, whence it must travel up and over around the base extensions (1 beforeit can reach any of the odometer mechanism. Even then the counter, which is in the upper part of the cap, will not be reached by the moisture, and, as is obvious, said counter will be protected until the odometer-casing is literally flooded with water.

The main shaft f, to which the star-wheel or actuated member 9 is keyed, is jo'urnaled in the extended part of the base (1, bearings h being formed therein for the reception of said shaft, while the bearing next the starwheel is extended somewhat to resist the lat eral thrust of the shaftf when the odometer is run at high speeds. Said shaft is locked in the odometer-casing by a key 1', which fits in'a peripheral groove or keyway on the end of the shaft, and a dust-cap j, containing suitable packingj, is provided around the shaft between the star-wheel and the casing to prevent the entrance of dirt or moisture into the instrument at that point.

Mounted upon the main shaft and secured to the same so as to rotate therewith is a pinion 7a, which engages a similar pinion Z, keyed to the shaft of the counter or registeringmechanism. Alsomonntednponthemain shaft so as to rotate therewith and to be movable longitudinally thereon are disks wt, preferably of steel, and in alternation with said disks are friction plates or washers or, preferably of fiber, said friction-plates being squared to fit the chamber 6 and being held thereby from rotation. These disks and friction-washers constitute a braking device for preventing the star-wheel and shaft from spinning when the star-wheel is actuated in rapid succession. Suitable means are provided for keeping said disks and washers in close contact, such means being preferably a set of springs 0, seated in a spring carrierblock 1), fixed to the sides of the casing. Said springs bear against one of the washers 71 at one end of the braking device, while a plate q, fixed to the sides of the casing, is provided at the other end of the device and receives the thrust of the springs 0.

In order to secure the disks it to the shaft fin the manner above stated, said shaft is formed with one or more longitudinal grooves or keyways f and the disks with corresponding projections m, adapted to fit in said grooves. In the same manner it is preferable to secure the pinion 7.; to said shaft. In assembling the parts of the odometer the pinion 7.:, thrust-plate q, disks m, friction-washers n, and spring carrier-block p are first placed in their respective positions in the chamber or inclosure c and then shaftf inserted through the openings in the center of all of said parts, the keyways f in said shaft receiving the projections on the disks 7t and pinion 7s. The shaft is then looked in position by the key t. Inasmuch as the chamber c, as well as the upper part of cap 0, are symmetrical, the positions of the braking mechanism, pinion 7t, and the counter or registering mechanism a with respect to the casing may be reversedthat is, the positions of the pinion 7; andthrust-plateqontheonehand and the spring carrier-block p on the other hand may be interchanged and the counter a so placed in the top of cap 0 as to cause pinion Z to engage pinion it in its new position. Because of this reversibility of the mechanism of theinstrument it becomes possible to mount the instrument with respect to the actuating member-the wheel of the vehicle, for instance-in two different positions with respectto said member or wheel,while the readings of the counter are visible in an upright position from either side of said member or wheel, as may be desired. When the instrument is in operation, motion is transmitted from the actuating member, usually a pin on the spoke of a vehicle, intermittently to the star-wheel, and said wheel is in rotation only during the time that the pin and the starwheel are in contact, the braking mechanism causing said wheel to stop as soon as the pin or actuating member becomes disengaged from the star-wheel.

In a modification of the odometer shown in Fig. 8 the star-wheel has been omitted, inasmuch as this form of the instrument is designed to be actuated by some suitable mechanism for supplying a continuous motion to the main shaftf instead of intermittently, as in the previous case. The braking device has also been omitted, as the shaft f is at all times directly connected with the actuating member,and therefore is not left to spin freely when the-instrument is running ata high speed. If the counter or registering mechanism in this modification is similar to that in the form of the instrument first described, means for effecting the proper speed reduction should be interposed between the main shaft and the shaft of the counter. This speed reduction may be effected simply by increasing the size of the pinion Zon the counfer-shaft and by reducing the size of pinion 7t" on the main shaft, the ratio of the sizes of the two pinions shown in the drawing Fig. 8 being five to one.

In Fig. 9 still another modification of the instrumentisshown. Herethecountermeclv anism (not shown) is separated from the main shaft and placed in a location where it may be conveniently observed, being connected to the main shaft by a flexible shaft or some other suitable means for transmitting motion. The braking device, the main shaft, and the star-wheel are similar to those already described with reference to the first form of the instrument above referred to, while the cap 0, which no longer contains the counter mechanism, is made to conform substantially to the shape of the chamber or inclosure c of the braking mechanism.

1 claim as my inventi0n-- ICC IIO

rem-2c 1. In an odometer, the combination of a casing comprising a cap and a base, a counter in the upper portion of the cap, a case inclosing said counter, and mechanism for actuating the counter mounted upon the base.

2. In an odometer, the combination of a casing comprising a cap and a base, a counter in the upper portion of the cap, a case inclosing said counter, a shaft mounted on the base, and operative connections between the counter and the shaft.

3. In an odometer, the combination of a base, upright extensions integral with said base and forming a chamber, a cap adapted to fit closely upon and entirely inclose the extensions, a counter inclosed in the upper portion of the cap, and mechanism for actuating the counter mounted within the chamber.

4. In an odometer, the combination of a base, upright extensions integral with said base and forming a chamber, a cap adapted to fit closely upon and entirely inclose the extensions, a counter inclosed in the upper portion of the cap, a shaft journaled in the extensions, an extended bearing for said shaft formed upon the base, and operative connections between the counter and shaft.

5. In an odometer, the combination of a casing comprising a cap and a base closed against the entrance of dust or dirt, and a counter in the upper portion of the cap, all the joints between the cap and the base being below the counter.

6. In an odometer, the combination of a casing comprising a cap and a base closed against the entrance of dust or dirt, and a counter in the upper portion of the cap, and a casing inclosing said counter, all the joints between the cap and the base being below the counter.

7. In an odometer, the combination of a casing, a shaft extending into the casing, a friction-brake within the casing in operative relation with the shaft, a counter within the casing, and mechanism for actuating the counter operatively connected with the shaft.

8. In an odometer, the combination of a casing, a main shaft extending Within the casing, a friction-brake within the casing in operative relation with said shaft, a counter within the casing, a shaft for said counter, and operative connections between the main shaft and the counter-shaft.

9. In an odometer,a casing therefor, a shaft extending through the casing, an extended bearing formed in the casing for one end of said shaft, braking mechanism within the easing in operative relation with said shaft, a counter, and mechanism for actuating the counter operatively connected with the shaft.

10. In an odometer, a main shaft, a counter operatively connected with the shaft, and braking mechanism in operative relation with the shaft, said mechanism comprising a plurality of disks longitudinally movable upon the shaft but keyed. thereto so as to rotate therewith, and a stationary friction-plate between adjacent disks.

11. In an odometer, a main shaft, a counter operatively connected with the shaft, and braking mechanism in operative relation with the shaft, said mechanism comprising a plurality of disks longitudinally movable upon the shaft but keyed thereto so as to rotate therewith,a stationary friction-plate between every adjacent disk, and means to hold the friction-plates and the disks in contact.

12. In an odometer, a main shaft, a counter operatively connected with the shaft, and braking mechanism in operative relation with the shaft, said mechanism comprising a plurality of disks longitudinally movable upon the shaft but keyed thereto so as to rotate therewith, a stationary friction-plate between every adjacent disk, and springs to hold the friction-plates and the disks yieldingly together.

13. In an odometer, the combination of a symmetrical casing comprising a cap and a base, a shaft journaled in said casing, a counter in the upper portion of the cap, the joints between the cap and the base being below the counter, and shiftable connections between said shaft and counter.

1%. In an odometer, the combination of a symmetrical casing, a shaft journaled in said casing, a reversible counter, a pinion on said counter,a pinion in operative relation with the first-named pinion and keyed to said shaft so as to be shiftable longitudinally thereupon.

15. In an odometer, the combination of a symmetrical casing, a shaft having a longitudinal keyway journaled in said casing, a reversible counter, a pinion on said counter, a pinion on'said shaft in operative relation with the first-named pinion and having a key engaging said keyway whereby it can be shifted longitudinally upon the shaft.

This specification signed and witnessed this 2d day of February, A. D. 1903.

CURTIS I'IUSSEY VEEDER.

In presence of E. BARBIE SMITH, H. PRATT SAWTELLE. 

